Back in the day, sports cars had a lot more trade-offs — you had to choose between speed, comfort, and reliability. As technology has improved over the years, the auto industry has become more well-rounded with newer vehicles offering a balance of consumers’ most-wanted features, leaving only a few nuances to set one apart from another.
In many ways, we’re seeing a similar story when it comes to ERP systems, whose technology has also improved quickly over time. As the gap narrows between competitors, it can be a fun and helpful exercise to compare a few of the top ERP systems with a few of the most well-known sports cars to help you get a better grasp on the market.
ServiceNow is a relative newcomer as an ERP system, but they are quickly gaining momentum, cracking our list of Top 10 ERP systems just this year. Despite a relative lack of time spent in the market, ServiceNow has been gaining ground fast. Because of this rapid rise in the market, I chose the Tesla Model S P90D as Service Now’s sports car equivalent, and that’s not where the similarities end. Both ServiceNow and Tesla are non-traditional organizations that are making waves within their industry, regardless of how new they are in the space. Tesla differentiates itself in the auto industry by selling only electric cars. ServiceNow is not a traditional ERP system but uses a foundation of ticketing software to attract service-based organizations.
Right now, Infor is in a state of transition, moving from a legacy product to a cloud-based product. This is what makes it the perfect match for the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which also went through a well-publicized transition from gas to electric power. The Ford Mustang has always been the workhorse of the sports car world, just as Infor is the favorite for the makers in the manufacturing industry. In terms of the future, Infor and the Ford Mustang Mach-E are both taking strides to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. However, this can leave some questions unanswered when it comes to the product roadmap and long-term vision.
Before Tesla took over, the king of 0-60 for many, many years was the Porsche 911. Eventually, new technologies, like electric motors, caught up with the Porsche 911, knocking it down a few rungs on the ladder. Something very similar is happening with SAP, the current leader in ERP market share. This year, SAP’s trouble with adoption came to a head, when they announced that all customers would have to switch to their new S/4Hana cloud platform by 2025. Despite ruffling a few feathers, SAP will continue to be a power player in the ERP world. However, as more and more companies offer better, easier, and cheaper alternatives, they may have to get used to their new place in the pecking order. We’ll see how their acquisition of Signavio helps them maintain their lead.
A Chevy Corvette is an all-around quality pick for the price when it comes to sports cars, which is what makes Sage the perfect analog. Sage is one of the most consistent ERP systems currently on the market and they are gaining momentum with every manufacturer and industrial organization they convert. Sage offers a few key functionalities that others don’t, but the big draw is simplicity and knowing what you’re going to get — just like the Corvette. Chevy has been in the car game for a long time, and year after year, they still manage to stay competitive with whatever comes out that year.
When you think IFS, you have to think Alpha Romeo. The ERP system and the sports car both come from decently-sized companies but both brands are still flying under the public’s radar for the most part. Both IFS and Alpha Romeo are focused on the niche product experience, though one is an Italian sports car and the other is an ERP system dedicated to service-based organizations. Despite having no robust partner network, IFS has grown a cult-like following in industries like construction and utility, making them the perfect match for Alpha Romeo, who enjoys the same small-town fame among luxury car enthusiasts.
In many ways, ERP software selection is a lot like shopping for a car. You may choose to prioritize different features like ticketing functionality, user interface, or speed, but at the end of the day, you want to feel good about the investment you just made.
At Third Stage Consulting, we help our clients get that peace of mind that’s often missing when you walk out of a car dealership. We give our clients the unbiased information they need about digital strategy and the world of ERP software implementation, and our virtual door is always open. So if you want more information on ERP software systems or if you just want to chat about the latest sports cars, please feel free to contact us.
